ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, July 5, 1996                   TAG: 9607050037
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1    EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT 

'PHENOMENON' SEEMS OUT-OF-SEASON

"Phenomenon" is a curious summer release. While most of the major studio films are escapist adventure or rowdy comedy, this one has an autumnal feeling. It's a lyrically paced romance that may or may not be science fiction. Despite the advertising, that side of the story is the least important.

From the opening shots of an idealized rural setting - complete with artistically weathered farm buildings, kittens and bunnies - it's obvious that director Jon Turteltaub is taking an unhurried approach. For almost three-quarters of writer Gerald DiPego's script there are no strong conflicts; it's more about problem solving.

On his 37th birthday, after several beers at the party, George Malley (John Travolta) sees moving lights in the night sky. He's stunned and overwhelmed by them, but no one else in the little town of Harmon, Calif., notices. Could the lights have something to do with George's sudden ability to defeat Doc (Robert Duvall) at chess? Or with his decoding of the signals that his friend Nate (Forest Whitaker) picks up on the shortwave?

It doesn't really matter because George, a down-home kind of guy, is more interested in applying his intelligence to growing bigger beefsteak tomatoes and to romancing the newly arrived Lace (Kyra Sedgwick). And to reading. George, a man who couldn't make his way through an instruction manual, begins to read voraciously and to turn his newfound knowledge into visionary ideas.

The biggest special effects in the film are a floating paperclip and a broken mirror. No shots are fired; no cars are chased. Beyond a few common epithets, the script could be read in church. Forget sci-fi, forget the supernatural; it's about simple people.

Because the film is so low-keyed, it's going to leave some viewers completely cold. Others will be completely captivated. At a recent preview screening, the theater was filled with audible snuffs and sniffles at the conclusion.

But will the film be able to find an audience in this highly competitive season? Can such gentle fare fill theater seats while invading UFOs, legal thrillers and special effects extravaganzas are waiting in the wings? Probably. Stranger things have happened.

"Phenomenon" is going to be this summer's "Ghost.

"Phenomenon" ** 1/2

A Touchstone Pictures release playing at Tanglewood Mall Theatre 117 min. Rated PG for mild profanity.

LENGTH: Medium:   54 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  John Travolta and Robert Duvall in "Phenomenon":  No 
          shots are fired; no cars are chased. color.